“She won’t speak to anyone,” complained a clearly bemused reporter as Maria Hutchings was “escorted” out of the Eastleigh count early on Friday morning.
“Who do you blame? David Cameron or the coalition government?” asked another, as the Tory tried to leave following announcement that she had finished third behind the Lib Dems and Ukip.
After a week of rumours that suggested the Conservative hierarchy had ordered their candidate, the “Sarah Palin of British politics” according to Labour, to be removed from her own campaign trail, Hutchings’ exit from the election was a suitably bizarre denouement to the Tory’s Eastleigh push.
No excuse, no explanation, not even congratulations to the Mike Thornton, Nick Clegg’s bland yet victorious charge. Hutchings offered only silence, yet one that suggested all was not accord between the mother-of-four, viewed as a loose cannon by Number 10, and Tory HQ.
Hopefully the candidate, well known for her forthright views, will return to form and reveal exactly what happened in the small Hampshire town.
“Who do you blame? David Cameron or the coalition government?” The smart money is on the defeated candidate nodding to the former…
NOT A TORY: Cameron 'Out Of Tune' With Traditional Tory Voters
SEE ALSO: Crisis For Cameron As Ukip Beat Tories And Lib Dems Win
WATCH: Hutchings' Bizarre Exit From Eastleigh Count
NICE TRY: Conservatives Spin Loss As Victory For Coalition
SEE ALSO: Tory Leadership Deny Gay Marriage Cost Them Election
MISSED CHANCE? Would Farage Have Won?
Eastleigh By-Election
Eastleigh by-election(01 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates (left) after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour, Danny Stupple, Independent and Diane James, UKIP. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(02 of38)
The Monster Raving Loony Party candidate congratulates the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected Thornton will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(03 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(04 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(05 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(06 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(07 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Eastleigh by-election(08 of38)
Diane James, the UKIP candidate with Mike Thornton after beating the Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings into third place in the by-election at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(09 of38)
Diane James, the UKIP candidate celebrates after beating the Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings into third place in the by-election at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour and Danny Stupple, Independent. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(10 of38)
The Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings leaves the count at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire without making a coment after caming third after the Lib Dems and UKIP in the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(11 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates with his wife Peta after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(12 of38)
The Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where she came third after the Lib Dems and UKIP in the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(13 of38)
Prime Minister David Cameron and Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings leaflet drop residential homes, before the imminent by-election in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The by-election has been called as its former MP, Chris Huhne, resigned after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(14 of38)
Chancellor George Osborne wears a high visibility jacket as he makes a visit to the Prysmian Group factory and speaks to (L- R) employee Raj Guru, factory manager Steve Price, CEO Paul Atkinson and Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings in the constituency of Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Conservative party minister visit to the energy and telecom cable maker was to meet the party's candidate Hutchings ahead of the Eastleigh by-election on February 28 to elect a new MP, after Chris Huhne was forced to resign. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(15 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton kisses his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the expected declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(16 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the expected declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(17 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(18 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates with his wife Peta (centre) and family after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(19 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton hugs his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(20 of38)
The Monster Raving Loony Party candidate congratulates the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected Thornton will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(21 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election. (credit:PA)
Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives(22 of38)
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Eastleigh by-election(23 of38)
The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates (left) after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour, Danny Stupple, Independent and Diane James, UKIP. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(24 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(25 of38)
Conservative supporters share a packet of mints while waiting for the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(26 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(27 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(28 of38)
Labour leader Ed Miliband speaks to former Liberal Democrat voters during his visit Eastleigh in Hampshire where he met prospective parliamentary candidate John O' Farrell (right) during the by-election campaign. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(29 of38)
A general view of the ballot papers being counted at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(30 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(31 of38)
A general view of the ballot papers being counted at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(32 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(33 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(34 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(35 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(36 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(37 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)
Eastleigh by-election(38 of38)
The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today. (credit:PA)